3-19-23 roundup: Pro basketball, football and soccer, High school baseball and softball, College basketball

By Richard Walker

All area high school baseball teams have started conference play.

Here are the area’s standings with conference record, overall record through games of March 17:

Big South 3A
Crest 2-0, 4-3
South Point 2-0, 4-3
Cramer 1-0, 6-0
Kings Mountain 1-0, 4-1
North Gaston 0-1, 3-4
Ashbrook 0-1, 0-5
Forestview 0-2, 2-5
Huss 0-2, 0-2

Southern Piedmont 1A/2A
East Gaston 3-0, 6-0
Burns 2-0, 7-1
Cherryville 2-0, 5-2
Highland Tech 2-2, 5-3
Shelby 2-2, 4-3
Thomas Jefferson 0-3, 2-3
Bessemer City 0-4, 1-7

Western Foothills 3A
Hickory 2-0, 7-0
St. Stephens 2-0, 6-1
Foard 1-0, 4-0
North Lincoln 1-1, 4-3
West Iredell 0-1, 4-2
East Lincoln 0-1, 2-3
Statesville 0-1, 0-4
North Iredell 0-2, 3-4

Catawba Valley 2A
East Burke 3-1, 3-2
Bunker Hill 3-1, 4-3
Maiden 3-1, 3-4
West Lincoln 2-2, 3-5
Bandys 2-2, 2-5
Newton-Conover 2-2, 2-5
Lincolnton 1-3, 3-5
West Caldwell 0-4, 0-7

Catawba Shores 1A/2A
Christ the King 2-0, 3-2
Comm Sch of Davidson 2-0, 4-4
Langtree Charter 2-0, 3-4
Lincoln Charter 1-0, 3-2
Bradford Prep 0-2, 0-4
Pine Lake Prep 0-2 ,0-5
Mtn Island Charter 0-3, 0-6

Others
Gaston Christian 3-4
Gaston Day 1-4
Piedmont CC 2-5

-This week’s schedule
(Monday, March 20)
Ashbrook at Highland Tech, ppd., no date
Lincolnton at East Lincoln
Cramer at North Gaston
Kings Mountain at Ashbrook

(Tuesday, March 21)
Ashbrook at Crest
Huss at Kings Mountain
North Gaston at Forestview
South Point at Cramer
Bessemer City at Burns
Cherryville at Thomas Jefferson
East Gaston at Shelby
East Lincoln at West Iredell
North Lincoln at North Iredell
Lincolnton at East Burke
West Lincoln at West Caldwell
Bradford Prep at Lincoln Charter
Mountain Island Charter at Christ the King
Piedmont CC at Carolina International
Metrolina at Gaston Day

(Wednesday, March 22)
East Gaston at Thomas Jefferson
Burns at Crest
Highland Tech at West Lincoln
Lake Norman Charter at Lincoln Charter
Langtree Charter at Piedmont CC

(Thursday, March 23)
Bessemer City at Huss
East Burke at Cherryville

(Friday, March 24)
Cramer at South Point
Crest at Ashbrook
Forestview at North Gaston
Kings Mountain at Huss
Burns at Bessemer City
Shelby at East Gaston
Thomas Jefferson at Cherryville
Foard at East Lincoln
North Lincoln at St. Stephens
East Burke at West Lincoln
Lincolnton at Maiden
Lincoln Charter at Bradford Prep
Christ the King at Mountain Island Charter
Corvian Community at Piedmont CC
Gaston Christian at High Point Christian
Hickory Christian at Gaston Day

(Saturday, March 25)
Gaston Christian at Asheville Christian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College basketball

The 2023 NCAA men’s tournament pairings and results:

-First Four
(March 14 – at Dayton, Ohio)
SOUTH: No. 16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (23-10) vs. No. 16 Southeast Missouri State (19-16) – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 75-71
MIDWEST: No. 11 Mississippi State (21-12) vs. No. 11 Pittsburgh (22-11) – Pittsburgh 60-59

(March 15 – at Dayton, Ohio)
EAST: No. 16 Texas Southern (14-20) vs. No. 16 Farleigh Dickinson (19-15) – Farleigh Dickinson 84-61
WEST: No. 11 Nevada (22-10) vs. No. 11 Arizona State (22-12) – Arizona State 98-73

-First Round
EAST
(March 16 1st round – at Orlando, Fla.)
No. 5 Duke (26-8) vs. No. 12 Oral Roberts (30-4) – Duke 74-61
No. 4 Tennessee (23-10) vs. No. 13 Louisiana (26-7) – Tennessee 58-55
(March 17 1st round – at Greensboro, N.C.)
No. 6 Kentucky (21-11) vs. No. 11 Providence (21-11) – Kentucky 61-53
No. 3 Kansas State (23-9) vs. No. 14 Montana State (25-9) – Kansas State 77-65
(March 17 1st round – at Columbus, Ohio)
No. 7 Michigan State (19-12) vs. No. 10 USC (22-10) – Michigan State 72-62
No. 2 Marquette (28-6) vs. No. 15 Vermont (23-10) – Marquette 78-61
No. 1 Purdue (29-5) vs. No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson (20-15) – Farleigh Dickinson 63-58
No. 8 Memphis (26-8) vs. No. 9 Florida Atlantic (31-3) – Florida Atlantic 66-65
(March 18 2nd round – at Orlando, Fla.)
No. 5 Duke (27-8) vs. No. 4 Tennessee (24-10) – Tennessee 65-52
(March 19 2nd round – at Columbus, Ohio)
No. 7 Michigan State (20-12) vs. No. 2 Marquette (29-6) – Michigan State 69-60
No. 16 Farleigh Dickinson (21-15) vs. No. 9 Florida Atlantic (32-3) – Florida Atlantic 78-70
(March 19 2nd round – at Greensboro, N.C.)
No. 6 Kentucky (22-11) vs. No. 3 Kansas State (24-9) – Kansas State 75-69
(March 23 semifinals – at New York, N.Y.)
No. 4 Tennessee (25-10) vs. No. 9 Florida Atlantic (33-3)
No. 7 Michigan State (21-12) vs. No. 3 Kansas State (25-9)
(March 25 final – at New York, N.Y.)

SOUTH
(March 16 1st round – at Birmingham, Ala.)
No. 1 Alabama (29-5) vs. No. 16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (24-10) – Alabama 96-75
No. 8 Maryland (21-12) vs. No. 9 West Virginia (19-14) – Maryland 67-65
(March 16 1st round – at Orlando, Fla.)
No. 5 San Diego State (27-6) vs. No. 12 College of Charleston (31-3) – San Diego State 63-57
No. 4 Virginia (25-7) vs. No. 13 Furman (27-7) – Furman 68-67
(March 16 1st round – at Sacramento, Calif.)
No. 7 Missouri (24-9) vs. No. 10 Utah State (26-8) – Missouri 76-65
No. 2 Arizona (28-6) vs. No. 15 Princeton (21-8) – Princeton 59-55
(March 17 1st round – Denver, Colo.)
No. 6 Creighton (21-12) vs. No. 11 N.C. State (23-10) – Creighton 72-63
No. 3 Baylor (22-10) vs. No. 14 UC Santa Barbara (27-7) – Baylor 74-56
(March 18 2nd round – at Birmingham, Ala.)
No. 1 Alabama (30-5) vs. No. 8 Maryland (22-12) – Alabama 73-51
(March 18 2nd round – at Orlando, Fla.)
No. 5 San Diego State (28-6) vs. No. 13 Furman (28-7) – San Diego State 75-52
(March 18 2nd round – at Sacramento, Calif.)
No. 7 Missouri (25-9) vs. No. 15 Princeton (22-8) – Princeton 78-63
(March 19 2nd round – at Denver, Colo.)
No. 6 Creighton (22-12) vs. No. 3 Baylor (23-10) – Creighton 85-76
(March 24 semifinals – at Louisville, Ky.)
No. 5 San Diego State vs. No. 1 Alabama (31-5)
No. 15 Princeton (23-8) vs. No. 6 Creighton (23-12)
(March 26 final – at Louisville, Ky.)

MIDWEST
(March 16 1st round – at Birmingham, Ala.)
No. 1 Houston (31-3) vs. No. 16 Northern Kentucky (22-12) – Houston 63-52
No. 8 Iowa (19-13) vs. No. 9 Auburn (20-12) – Auburn 83-75
(March 16 1st round – at Des Moines, Iowa)
No. 7 Texas A&M (25-9) vs. No. 10 Penn State (22-13) – Penn State 76-59
No. 2 Texas (26-8) vs. No. 15 Colgate (26-8) – Texas 81-61
(March 17 1st round – at Albany, N.Y.)
No. 5 Miami (25-7) vs. No. 12 Drake (27-7) – Miami 63-56
No. 4 Indiana (22-11) vs. No. 13 Kent State (28-6) – Indiana 71-60
(March 17 1st round – at Greensboro, N.C.)
No. 6 Iowa State (19-13) vs. No. 11 Pittsburgh (23-11) – Pittsburgh 59-41
No. 3 Xavier (25-9) vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State (26-8) – Xavier 72-67
(March 18 2nd round – at Birmingham, Ala.)
No. 1 Houston (32-3) vs. No. 9 Auburn (21-12) – Houston 81-64
(March 18 2nd round – at Des Moines, Iowa)
No. 10 Penn State (23-13) vs. No. 2 Texas (27-8) – Texas 71-66
(March 19 2nd round – at Albany, N.Y.)
No. 5 Miami (26-7) vs. No. 4 Indiana (23-11) – Miami 85-69
(March 19 2nd round – at Greensboro, N.C.)
No. 11 Pittsburgh (24-11) vs. No. 3 Xavier (26-9) – Xavier 84-73
(March 24 semifinals – at Kansas City, Mo.)
No. 1 Houston (33-3) vs. No. 5 Miami (27-7)
No. 2 Texas (28-8) vs. No. 3 Xavier (27-9)
(March 26 final – at Kansas City, Mo.)

WEST REGION
(March 16 1st round – at Des Moines, Iowa)
No. 1 Kansas (27-7) vs. No. 16 Howard (22-12) – Kansas 96-68
No. 8 Arkansas (20-13) vs. Illinois (20-12) – Arkansas 73-63
(March 16 1st round – at Sacramento, Calif.)
No. 7 Northwestern (21-11) vs. No. 10 Boise State (24-9) – Northwestern 75-67
No. 2 UCLA (29-5) vs. No. 15 UNC-Asheville (27-7) – UCLA 86-53
(March 17 1st round – at Albany, N.Y.)
No. 5 St. Mary’s (26-7) vs. No. 12 Virginia Commonwealth (27-7) – St. Mary’s 63-51
No. 4 Connecticut (25-8) vs. No. 13 Iona (27-7) – Connecticut 87-63
(March 17 1st round – at Denver, Colo.)
No. 6 TCU (21-12) vs. No. 11 Arizona State (23-12) – TCU 72-70
No. 3 Gonzaga (28-5) vs. No. 14 Grand Canyon (24-11) – Gonzaga 82-70
(March 18 2nd round – at Des Moines, Iowa)
No. 1 Kansas (28-7) vs. No. 8 Arkansas (21-13) – Arkansas 72-71
(March 18 2nd round – at Sacramento, Calif.)
No. 7 Northwestern (22-11) vs. No. 2 UCLA (30-5) – UCLA 68-63
(March 19 2nd round – at Albany, N.Y.)
No. 5 St. Mary’s (27-7) vs. No. 4 Connecticut (26-8) – Connecticut 70-55
(March 19 2nd round – at Denver, Colo.)
No. 6 TCU (22-12) vs. No. 3 Gonzaga (29-5) – Gonzaga 84-81
(March 23 semifinals – at Las Vegas, Nev.)
No. 8 Arkansas (22-13) vs. No. 4 Connecticut (27-8)
No. 2 UCLA (31-5) vs. No. 3 Gonzaga (30-5)
(March 25 final – at Las Vegas, Nev.)

FINAL FOUR at Houston, Tex.
April 1 semifinals (East vs. South, West vs. Midwest)
April 3 championship game

The 2023 CBI tournament pairings and results – all games at Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fla.:

(March 18 1st round)
Indiana State 67, USC Upstate 62
Southern Utah 72, North Alabama 50
San Jose State 77, Southern Indiana 52
Charlotte 65, Western Carolina 56

(March 19 1st round)
Eastern Kentucky 91, Cleveland State 75
Rice 84, Duquesne 78
Radford 72, Tarleton 70
Milwaukee 87, Stetson 83 (OT)

(March 20 quarterfinals)
Indiana State vs. Eastern Kentucky, noon
Southern Utah vs. Rice, 2 p.m.
San Jose State vs. Radford, 4:30 p.m.
Charlotte vs. Milwaukee, 6:30 p.m.

(March 21 semifinals)
Games at 7 and 9 p.m.

(March 22 final)
5 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro football

After trading away top receiver D.J. Moore to move up to the No. 1 pick in next month’s NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers have signed a replacement in Minnesota Vikings veteran Adam Thielen.

Thielen, who played for the Vikings from 2014 to 2022, reportedly agreed to a 3-year contract with Carolina.

He’ll be a veteran presence for a team whose other receivers are 22-year-old Terrace Marshall Jr., 24-year-old Laviska Shenault Jr. and 24-year-old Shi Smith.

An undrafted rookie out of Minnesota State, Thielen 534 receptions for 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns in his career highlighted by Pro Bowl selections in 2017 and 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school softball

-Next week’s schedule
(Monday, March 20)
Ashbrook at Highland Tech
Cherryville at Lincolnton
Piedmont CC at Bessemer City
Pinnacle at Highland Tech

(Tuesday, March 21)
Cramer at Crest
Forestview at Ashbrook
Kings Mountain at North Gaston
South Point at Huss
Bessemer City at Burns
Cherryville at Thomas Jefferson
East Gaston at Shelby
East Lincoln at West Iredell
North Lincoln at North Iredell
Lincolnton at East Burke
West Lincoln at West Caldwell
Langtree Charter at Piedmont CC
Providence Day at Gaston Christian
Bradford Prep at Lincoln Charter
Mountain Island Charter at Christ the King

(Wednesday, March 22)
East Gaston at Thomas Jefferson
East Lincoln at Cramer
Maiden at North Lincoln
West Lincoln at Patton
Lake Norman Charter at Lincoln Charter

(Thursday, March 23)
Piedmont CC at Highland Tech

(Friday, March 24)
Ashbrook at North Gaston
Crest at South Point
Huss at Cramer
Kings Mountain at Forestview
Burns at Bessemer City
Shelby at East Gaston
Thomas Jefferson at Cherryville
Foard at East Lincoln
North Lincoln at St. Stephens
East Burke at West Lincoln
Lincolnton at Maiden
Corvian Community at Piedmont CC
Gaston Christian at Metrolina
Lincoln Charter at Bradford Prep
Christ the King at Mountain Island Charter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro basketball

Here’s the 2022-23 Charlotte Hornets schedule:

(22-50 record)
October
19 at San Antonio (W 129-102)
21 New Orleans (L 112-124)
23 at Atlanta (W 126-109)
26 at New York (L 131-134, OT)
28 at Orlando (L 93-113)
29 Golden State (W 120-113, OT)
31 Sacramento (L 108-115)
November
2 at Chicago (L 88-106)
4 at Memphis (L 99-130)
5 Brooklyn (L 94-98)
7 Washington (L 100-108)
9 Portland (L 95-105)
10 at Miami (L 112-117, OT)
12 at Miami (L 115-132)
14 at Orlando (W 112-105)
16 Indiana (L 113-125)
18 at Cleveland (L 122-132, 2 OT)
20 at Washington (L 102-106)
23 Philadelphia (W 107-101)
25 Minnesota (W 110-108)
28 at Boston (L 105-140)
December
2 Washington (W 117-116)
3 Milwaukee (L 96-105)
5 L.A. Clippers (L 117-119)
7 at Brooklyn (L 116-122)
9 New York (L 102-121)
11 at Philadelphia (L 113-131)
14 Detroit (L 134-141, OT)
16 Atlanta (L 106-125)
18 at Denver (L 115-119)
19 at Sacramento (W 125-119)
21 at L.A. Clippers (L 105-126)
23 at L.A. Lakers (W 134-130)
26 at Portland (L 113-124)
27 at Golden State (L 105-110)
29 Oklahoma City (W 121-113)
31 Brooklyn (L 106-123)
January
2 L.A. Lakers (L 115-121)
4 Memphis (L 107-131)
6 at Milwaukee (W 138-109)
8 at Indiana (L 111-116)
10 at Toronto (L 120-132)
12 at Toronto (L 114-124)
14 Boston (L 106-122)
16 Boston (L 118-130)
18 at Houston (W 122-117)
21 at Atlanta (W 122-118)
23 at Utah (L 102-120)
24 at Phoenix (L 97-128)
26 Chicago (W 111-96)
29 Miami (W 122-117)
31 at Milwaukee (L 115-124)
February
2 at Chicago (L 98-114)
3 at Detroit (L 112-118)
5 Orlando (L 113-119)
8 at Washington (L 104-118)
10 at Boston (L 116-127)
11 Denver (L 105-119)
13 Atlanta (W 144-138)
15 San Antonio (W 120-110)
24 at Minnesota (W 121-113)
25 Miami (W 108-103)
27 Detroit (W 117-106)
March
1 Phoenix (L 91-105)
3 Orlando (L 106-117)
5 at Brooklyn (L 86-102)
7 at New York (W 112-105)
9 at Detroit (W 113-103)
11 Utah (L 111-119)
12 Cleveland (L 114-118)
14 Cleveland (L 104-120)
17 Philadelphia (L 82-121)
20 Indiana, 7 p.m.
23 at New Orleans, 8 p.m.
24 at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
26 Dallas, 1 p.m.
28 at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
31 Chicago, 7 p.m.
April
2 Toronto, 1 p.m.
4 Toronto, 7 p.m.
7 Houston, 7 p.m.
9 at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro soccer

Here is Charlotte FC’s full 2023 schedule:

(1-3 record)
Feb. 25 New England Revolution (L 0-1)
March 4 at St. Louis City SC (L 1-3)
March 11 Atlanta United FC (L 0-3)
March 18 at Orlando City SC (W 2-1)
March 25 New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
April 1 at Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
April 8 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.
April 15 Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.
April 22 Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
April 29 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
May 6 New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 13 at Atlanta United FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 17 Chicago Fire FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 20 Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.
May 27 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
May 31 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 0.m.
June 3 at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
June 10 Seattle Sounders FC, 7:30 p.m.
June 21 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
June 24 CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 5 at New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
July 8 FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
July 15 at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 20 at Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 L.A. FC, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at Nashville SC, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 at FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 30 at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 Inter Miami CF, TBD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto racing

The 2023 NASCAR schedule (with winners in parentheses):

Feb 5 Clash at The Coliseum, Los Angeles CA (Martin Truex, Jr.)
Feb 16 Duel No. 1, Daytona Beach FL (Joey Logano)
Feb 16 Duel No. 2, Daytona Beach FL (Aric Almirola)
Feb 19 Daytona 500, Daytona Beach FL (Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.)
Feb 26 NASCAR Cup Series at California, Fontana CA (Kyle Busch)
Mar 5 NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV (William Byron)
Mar 12 NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, Avondale AZ (William Byron-2)
Mar 19 NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta, Hampton GA (Joey Logano-2)
Mar 26 NASCAR Cup Series at Circuit of the Americas, Austin TX, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Apr 2 NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond, Richmond VA, 3:30 p.m. on FS1
Apr 9 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol, Bristol TN, 7 p.m. on FOX
Apr 16 NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville, Martinsville VA, 3 p.m. on FS1
Apr 23 NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega, Lincoln AL, 3 p.m. on FOX
Apr 30 NASCAR Cup Series at Dover, Dover DE, 2 p.m. on FS1
May 7 NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas, Kansas City KS, 3 p.m. on FS1
May 14 NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington, Darlington SC, 3 p.m. on FS1
May 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open Race, North Wilkesboro NC, 6 p.m. on FS1
May 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race, North Wilkesboro NC, 8 p.m. on FS1
May 28 NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte, Concord NC, 6 p.m. at FOX
Jun 4 NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison IL, 3:30 p.m. on FS1
Jun 11 NASCAR Cup Series at Sonoma, Sonoma CA, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Jun 25 NASCAR Cup Series at Nashville, Lebanon TN, 7 p.m. on NBC
Jul 2 NASCAR Cup Series at Chicago, Chicago IL, 5:30 p.m. on NBC
Jul 9 NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta, Hampton GA, 7 p.m. on USA
Jul 16 NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire, Loudon NH, 2:30 p.m. on USA
Jul 23 NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono, Long Pond PA, 2:30 p.m. on USA
Jul 30 NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond, Richmond VA, 3 p.m. on USA
Aug 6 NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan, Brooklyn MI, 2:30 p.m. on USA
Aug 13 NASCAR Cup Series at Indianapolis Road Course, Speedway IN, 2:30 p.m. on NBC
Aug 20 NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen, Watkins Glen NY, 3 p.m. on USA
Aug 26 NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona, Daytona Beach FL, 7 p.m. on NBC

(Cup Playoffs)
Sep 3 NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington, Darlington SC, 6 p.m. on USA
Sep 10 NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas, Kansas City KS, 3 p.m. on USA
Sep 16 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol, Bristol TN, 7:30 p.m. on USA
Sep 24 NASCAR Cup Series at Texas, Fort Worth TX, 3:30 p.m. on USA
Oct 1 NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega, Lincoln AL, 2 p.m. on NBC
Oct 8 NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte, Concord NC, 2 p.m. on NBC
Oct 15 NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV, 2:30 p.m. on NBC
Oct 22 NASCAR Cup Series at Miami, Homestead FL, 2:30 p.m. on NBC
Oct 29 NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville, Martinsville, 2 p.m. on NBC
Nov 5 NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, Avondale AZ, 3 p.m. on NBC